FOR MOST OF THE CENTURY: STEPHEN AND VINEY RALPH WOODS MARRY (PART 56)

Jean Bell Mosley's new autobiography, "For Most of the Century," is only available in serialized form in the Southeast Misourian. Return each week for her continuing story.

Sometimes, in my daily journals, when there had been lengthy notations and descriptions of what had transpired that day, I would write short notations in the margins, indicating what I thought to be the special thing. A sampling of such marginal notations are: Purple martins arrived today. Bill R. came to paint woodwork of house. New blacktop driveway today. Nominated Wendy Rust for Missouri Mother of the year (she won).

On August 8, 1988, I wrote in the margin "8-8-88." Some years later I read the entries for that day to see why I had thought the marginal notation of "8-8-88" was of importance. The entries read:

Aug. 8, 1988 -- Before daylight while it was still dark, I sat on the front porch to look at the crescent moon and the big star nearby. A hoot owl, in brown velvet hoots, sounded from Bob's maple tree.

Gladys H. called to say this was a sad week for her. They are selling her old home place in Jonesboro, Arkansas, and moving her mother into an apartment.

Theresa Hale called, asking me to give a program for her Garden Club, April 14th. I accepted.

Got out "The Rustling Brook" and started writing on it again.

Donna Mosley called to say Russell's leg cancer can be controlled without amputation. Rejoice!

I re-read the passage to see what it was that had prompted me to make such a marginal notation. Of course I was glad that my nephew's leg cancer could be controlled. I was not too happy about giving yet another program. I mentally sympathized with Gladys about the sale of her old home and my thoughts went back to the sale of our old farm home. but that "8-8-88" marginal notation? After some moments of reflection, I realized that never again would those "8's" stack up like that for me. They seldom do for anyone.

Then on April 21, 1989, there was this marginal notation, "Wedding!" And the entry:

April 21, 1989 -- Beautiful day! Francine, from Francine's Flower Shop, brought the triple window ledge decorations -- three white geometrically carved containers holding peachy-red colotcheas and lots of long trailing ferns.

I had the three tiered plant stand placed at the left side of the archway between living and dining room. Flower pots, covered with pink net, with a ruffle at the top were filled with all colors of impatients. Two big palms, the pots also covered with pink net, stood on the floor at the sides of the triple window ledge. The wedding took place at that end of the room.

Stephen and Jimmy Woods (Viney's son) and Lauren arrived first, Stephen and Jimmy in tuxedos and Lauren in a long pink and green, lace trimmed dress.

Then came the photographer. After that, Viney and Ellie (Viney's daughter) arrived. Viney had a long-sleeved, creamy white dress, with a low pleated flounce and appliques of white and creamy satin leaves. The back had an insert of net flowers and leaves. Ellie had a pink and blue silk print. I wore a dusty rose silk dress, pleated skirt and pleated top with low waist band.

Judge Bill Rader, who performed the ceremony, wore a double breasted light gray flannel suit.

Lauren carried the rings on the little rose crocheted cushion I made of Mama's four Irish crocheted squares. It was centered with a small silk rose corsage which Lauren later wore after the ceremony.

Rader's ceremony included passages from First Corinthians and Robert Browning's "How do I love you? Let me count the ways."

We had a champagne toast and I burned my sesame seed toast squares in the oven while looking for the bride and groom who were still having pictures taken outside in the yard.

In less than fifteen minutes I had a new daughter-in-law, a handsome step-grandson and a beautiful step-granddaughter.

Afterwards Viney and Stephen opened wedding gifts. I gave them a crystal pitcher with two one hundred dollar bills inside. Then we went to the N'Orleans for a dinner.

Viney held an important position with the American Cancer Society. Stephen, still teaching at Sikeston High School, had been living alone (no, with a cat!) at his eight unit apartment building on Davis Street in Sikeston since 1985. After marriage, they moved into Viney's home on Salcedo Road in Sikeston. Later they moved to a lovely home at 813 Park Street in Sikeston. Lauren was with them often.

~Jean Bell Mosley is an author and longtime resident of Cape Girardeau.